Page 14 of Choosing Samantha

“I know where you live.”

“Terrifying.”

He smiles, but his expression turns serious. “Did tonight make you uncomfortable?”

“Vanessa did.”

“I meant being introduced as an artist instead of…”

“An escort?” I finish his sentence. “That is work I’m doing,” I say. “It isn’t all I am.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” I ask honestly.

He turns toward me. “You’re an artist. A teacher. A daughter who worries about her mother and sends money home even when she can’t afford groceries herself. You sketch strangers on trains and pretend not to cry over children’s books. You’re brave when frightened and stubborn when someone tries to help without asking.” My chest tightens at his words.

He’s noticed the parts of me most people overlook. Worse, he’s put them together into someone I almost believe is worth wanting. I want to ask what I mean to him and want the truth. But fear keeps the question stuck in my throat.

“You make me sound complicated,” I say instead.

“You are.”

“Is that a complaint?”

“It’s fascination.” He lifts his hand and tucks a stray lock of hair back behind my ear.

The car pulls up outside my apartment, and for a moment neither of us moves. I want him to kiss me. I’m almost positive he will. Instead, he lowers his hand.

“Good night, Samantha.”

I feel both disappointed and relieved—part of me wanted to know what his lips would feel like against mine. But the other part would always wonder whether Vanessa was right—companionship is so easy to arrange.

“Good night, Arch.” I climb out of the car, clutching his coat around me, unsure whether it’s the late-September wind or the chill of knowing I’m only an assignment to him that has me feeling so cold.

seven

Arch

My sister calls the following Saturday morning while I’m reviewing a compromised server, giving me something else to do besides think about the fact that I haven’t seen Samantha in three days. It’s longer than I would have liked, but after our last date, it felt like we needed some time apart.

“I need a favor.”

“No,” I reply before she can say another word.

“You haven’t heard about the favor.”

“You use that tone only when the twins have organized a rebellion.”

“It isn’t a rebellion. It’s an educational opportunity.”

In the background, I hear Lily shout, “Ask him!”

Lucy shouts something about fire, and I know I’m in trouble.

I stop typing. “Why is Lucy talking about fire?”

“Their art program was canceled, and I had promised them an activity. Then the hospital called me in.”